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Course Description: AEC Daily: Mind the Gap: Closing Design Barriers in Outdoor Spaces
This course examines how inclusive outdoor environments and well-designed site furnishings can promote health, safety, and well-being for all individuals. While everyone can benefit from being outdoors, many people experience exclusion due to design barriers in public spaces. Learners will explore strategies and furniture specifications, including layout and materials, that support accessible and inclusive design and contribute to LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction (BD+C), WELL Building Standard™ v2, and SITES® v2 goals. Case studies highlight real-world applications in communities, school campuses, and public spaces.
Describe the importance of outdoor spaces in supporting physical, emotional, and social well-being for all users and strategies that align with sustainable design goals by making public spaces welcoming for those with mobility, sensory, and cognitive needs.
Explain how the correct specification of outdoor furniture, such as appropriate heights and clearances, supports ADA compliance and contributes to LEED, WELL, and SITES strategies for promoting accessibility and inclusivity.
Identify strategies for selecting site furniture that meets SITES goals by incorporating recycled content, sourcing regional materials, and utilizing manufacturers that follow responsible raw material extraction practices.
Examine real-world case studies that showcase the successful implementation of inclusive outdoor furnishings and design interventions in various applications, such as school campuses and community and public spaces.